By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) commences today, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 in Davos, Switzerland and it is attended by several world leaders.
Also, many business and political leaders across the world are in Davos for the prestigious forum, where talks on economies of the globe would be discussed.
The meeting, which will come to an end on Friday, January 20, 2017, will give world and business leaders the opportunities to rub minds.
This year’s edition is on the theme of responsible and responsive leadership and it will focus on how best to address the growing frustration and discontent increasing in segments of society that are not experiencing economic development and social progress.
However, the event is kicking off with air of uncertainty as Donald Trump presidency nears. Mr Trump is to be sworn-in on the day the summit closes.
A moment ago, Mr Trump described NATO as obsolete and also called the EU migrant policy as catastrophe. His comments caused agitations among the EU member states.
Among the world leaders to be at the event is the Chinese President, Mr Xi Jinping, who will be the first Chinese leader ever to attend Davos.
His presence is being seen as a sign of Beijing’s growing weight in the world at a time when Trump is promising a more insular, “America first” approach and Europe is pre-occupied with its own troubles, from Brexit to terrorism.
Also, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, will be at the summit. He will be there on the invitation of Executive Chairman of WEF Prof. Klaus Schwab.
British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, who has the thorny task of taking her country out of the EU, will be there.
However, Germany’s Angela Merkel, a Davos regular, will not be at this year’s edition.
Unfortunately, Nigeria’s President, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, will not be in Davos.
Adedapo Adesanya